The armor stood before him.
It seemed to be scanning Mike from head to toe—at least, that's what one might have thought if his face had been visible behind that angular, impenetrable helm. But it wasn't made of metal. The material looked more like white stone, laced with opaque veins, like some strange kind of basalt that moved with him. No joints, no separations—each plate seemed to fuse with his body, clinging to the skin, as if the armor had grown from him.
No metallic clanging accompanied his movements—only a deep, mineral rumble, sometimes cracking like a rock splitting open.
No sign of breath, no glimmer of a gaze. His massive silhouette inspired both dread and fascination, like a forgotten relic brought back to life. At his waist rested a massive sword of the same material: a raw, almost crystalline blade, heavy with bloody promise. It seemed forged entirely for him, perfectly suited to his frame.
Was he a protector—or a wandering curse? No one could have said…
Armor? — "I'll ask again, boy. Are you ready for your first—and probably last—fight?"
「Who is this man? He wants to fight me? I don't want to fight that! That's not my goal!」
Mike remained frozen in place, as if he still hadn't processed what was happening.
Mike — "Fight? But who are you? And why should I fight you? I don't want to!"
Voice? — "Well, Mike, if I were you, I wouldn't waste time trying to talk to him. I'd get ready, because he looks really fierce!"
The voice still spoke in its calm, composed tone.
Mike — "I should at least know who I'm dealing with, right?"
He began stepping back, one foot at a time, trying to put as much distance between himself and the armor as possible.
Armor? — "You're strange. Instead of preparing for battle, you step back and talk to yourself."
The armor advanced, placing a mineral hand on the hilt of its sword.
Armor? — "Your questions don't matter. Who am I? Pff. Why should you fight? Pff. You should be thinking about your life instead!"
He unsheathed his weapon with a sharp motion. The stone blade vibrated, spreading a pale dust into the air, and pointed it at Mike.
Mike — "…"
Armor? — "You'll get your answers if I deem you worthy."
Voice? — "Drop your bag, quick. It'll get in your way. And grab your knife—it's all you've got anyway."
Mike obeyed. He quickly set his bag down and gripped his knife tightly in his hand.
Mike — "Alright… if I don't have a choice…"
Voice? — "Don't hesitate. I'll guide you as much as I can."
The armor let out a low laugh. It echoed through the entire floor, deep and resonant, like a sound rising from the bowels of a cave.
Then it charged, blade raised. A lateral slash cut through the air.
「I don't have time to react…!」
Voice? — "Duck! Now!"
Mike threw himself backward, barely in time. The blade swept over his head and smashed into the nearby wall.
No metallic sparks—just an earth-shaking crash. The wall burst apart into blocks and dust, and the ground trembled under the impact. Debris scattered across the corridor. A section of wall had just been obliterated.
Mike — "Thanks! That blow could've killed me!"
Armor? — "Who are you thanking like that? Not bad though—you might be more capable than I thought!"
Mike stepped back, regaining his stance. His eyes darted toward his knife.
「What am I supposed to do with this against that colossal sword? It's like a mountain crashing down on me…」
Voice? — "You'll have to attack too. But you've got no experience, and this corridor's narrow… You'll have to be clever."
Mike — "Alright. I'll do everything you say. My life's on the line, right?"
Voice? — "Exactly. For starters, let him destroy as many walls as possib—"
Another mineral flash. The sword came straight for Mike's face.
Armor? — "Still ignoring me? Talking to yourself?"
Voice? — "Block him!"
Mike raised his knife on instinct. The impact was brutal.
A sharp crack, like two rocks colliding. The enemy blade barely deviated, but the force sent him flying backward.
He crashed down further into the sticky liquid. His hands trembled, burned from the shock. That strike had only been a warning.
Armor? — "Well done, boy. Maybe this will be fun after all! As for one of your questions—"
He lowered his weapon slightly.
"—I no longer have a name. But you may call me Entity No. 260."
The armor—no, the Entity, as it had called itself—held its weapon low, waiting.
Mike frowned, still dazed.
「Entity? 260? What's that number supposed to mean? And shouldn't he know what I'm doing here…?」
The answer hadn't really clarified anything—it had only raised more questions.
Voice? — "Entity… That word sounds familiar… but I can't remember…"
Mike — "What even is an Entity? And come to think of it—do you know why I'm here?"
Entity No. 260 — "I said I'd answer one question, not several. Now, prepare yourself—for round two."
Mike took a deep breath. His legs still trembled, but his eyes burned with newfound resolve.
「If I want to survive—and get answers—I can't afford another mistake.」